Varland, Wallner Highlight 5-2 Win

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. – Louie Varland’s latest shutout start and Matt Wallner’s second-ever multi-homer game led the Cedar Rapids Kernels to a 5-2 victory Tuesday against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

Varland (1-0) tossed five scoreless innings to earn his first win for Cedar Rapids (41-32). He escaped several jams including a tough spot in the first inning when Michael Helman threw out Hayden Cantrelle at home plate. Varland now owns a 16-inning scoreless streak since joining the Kernels earlier this month.

Wallner collected his first home run during a three-run third inning. Edouard Julien put the Kernels in front, 2-0, by hitting a two-run blast to right-center field. Two batters later, Wallner lined a solo shot to right field for a 3-0 Cedar Rapids lead.

The Kernels stretched their lead to 4-0 within the fourth. Jair Camargo, who secured a career-high eight-game streak earlier in the contest, grounded into a double play that allowed Alex Isola to score from third base.

Wisconsin (35-37) sliced its deficit in half over the sixth and seventh innings. Thomas Dillard led off the sixth with a massive homer to center field, but the Timber Rattlers left the bases loaded later in the frame. Wisconsin climbed within 4-2 when Dillard’s seventh-inning sacrifice fly plated Cantrelle.

In the eighth, Wallner launched Cedar Rapids to a 5-2 advantage. He belted a high fly ball to right field that cleared the fence for a leadoff round-tripper while ensuring his first two-homer outing since May 5 versus Peoria Chiefs.

Zach Featherstone protected the three-run lead with two scoreless and hitless innings of relief featuring a career-high-tying five strikeouts during his fifth save of the season. Erik Manoah Jr. preceded Featherstone and received credit for his second Kernels hold.

Freisis Adames (3-2) ended up as the losing pitcher Tuesday. He conceded four runs in 5.1 innings pitched. Adames also registered a season-high eight strikeouts.

This six-game series resumes Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Kernels right-hander Jon Olsen (1-3, 3.40) will face Timber Rattlers right-hander Zach Mort (1-4, 6.79), and Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will call the contest on www.kernels.com.

Cedar Rapids hosts the Quad Cities River Bandits for its next homestand from August 3 through August 8. Fans can purchase tickets for all Cedar Rapids Kernels home games by visiting www.kernels.com, going to the Kernels Ticket Office, or calling (319) 896-7560. The Kernels Ticket Office is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays. On Sundays when the Kernels have a home game, the Kernels Ticket Office will open at 11:00 a.m.